Texans' Kubiak had mini-stroke, out indefinitely

HOUSTON (AP) — Texans coach Gary Kubiak was released from a Houston hospital Tuesday after suffering what the team said was a mini-stroke during Sunday night's loss to Indianapolis.

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak watches from the sidelines during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)

The team said the 52-year-old Kubiak suffered a transient ischemic attack at halftime. He is expected to make a full recovery, but the Texans said they aren't sure when he'll resume his coaching duties.

"I've been through an ordeal and my focus now is to get back to good health," Kubiak said in a statement released by the team. "Doctors have told me I will make a full recovery."

Kubiak collapsed on the field and was rushed to a hospital. The Texans blew an 18-point lead without him and the 27-24 setback was the team's sixth straight loss.

A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, occurs when blood flow to the brain is briefly interrupted, typically by a blood clot or narrowed blood vessels. TIAs are often called mini-strokes and can cause stroke-like symptoms including sudden dizziness, numbness, vision loss or unconsciousness, though symptoms last only a few minutes or a few hours and no permanent brain damage occurs. TIAs are often a warning sign for a future stroke.

The team didn't name an interim coach as the Texans prepare for Sunday's game at Arizona. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, a former head coach for Dallas, took over after Kubiak was taken to the hospital and he ran Houston's practice on Monday. The Texans will need to figure out who's calling the plays on offense since that was done by Kubiak.

Kubiak's health problems are the latest blow to a team already in disarray in an underperforming season filled with numerous injuries and the benching of quarterback Matt Schaub. The six-game skid is tied for the longest losing streak in Texans history.

Now the Texans will try to regroup and adjust to Kubiak's likely absence on Sunday. Players said they believe Houston's assistant coaches will prepare them well for Sunday's game with Kubiak out.

"I think we're in great hands with whoever has to step up," linebacker Joe Mays said. "You're in great hands because we have a great group of coaches."

Kubiak was the second NFL coach with a severe medical issue this past weekend. Denver Broncos coach John Fox underwent heart surgery in North Carolina on Monday after being hospitalized on Saturday. Fox felt dizzy last week and doctors recommended immediate aortic valve replacement surgery.

Kubiak was hired in 2006 and is in the midst of a three-year deal that has him under contract through 2014. An eighth-round pick out of Texas A&M, he spent nine years as John Elway's backup in Denver and has made his mark as an offensive guru and quarterbacks mentor.